Physically fit: Body in the Works Challenge has dozens shedding pounds and strutting their stuff

Sunday

Nov 18, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Oliver Jenkinsojenkins@fosters.com

SOMERSWORTH — A grandfather, a hockey mom, and a breast cancer survivor were among a group of 25 individuals that strutted their stuff onstage during the final show of the Body in the Works Physique Challenge — a three month transformation program centered on eating healthy and exercising consistently.

Saturday's show, which was held inside the Works Family Health & Fitness Center in Somersworth, showcased the amazing results each participant achieved throughout the duration of the program.

And cheered on by a supportive audience of friends and family members, contestants took to the stage Friday in small groups to strike a series of poses for the judges. Music, applause, and shouts of encouragement filled the gymnasium for much of the ceremony.

“These participants have been working very hard for 12 weeks now,” said program director Caley Whitney, a University of New Hampshire graduate who originally came up with the idea for the program. “Some have been lifting weights and exercising for a long time — but for others this was their very first time in a gym.”

As Whitney noted in her opening remarks, many of the participants in the Physique Challenge work full-time and have full-time responsibilities as mothers and fathers, husbands and wives — factors that make getting to the gym a bit more difficult. “Some were here at 5 in the morning and others were at the gym as late as 10 p.m.,” Whitney said. “They may have full-time families but they still made the commitment.”

And this commitment was evident Saturday. Before and after pictures of each participant showcased clear losses in fat and weight coupled with gains in both muscle and confidence.

While some completed the program to kick-start healthier lifestyles, others signed up to reduce their chances of developing illnesses related to poor diets, bad habits, and inactive schedules.

One woman was told by her doctor she needed to lose 50 pounds and stop smoking or she would be at severe risk of developing diabetes. She later underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2007 and lost over 100 pounds in the initial year. Thanks to a new way of eating and an exercise program, she's currently at a healthy weight.

Another contestant was a breast cancer survivor and a former smoker who decided to take control of her life. In the past year she lost approximately 65 pounds — or 10 clothing sizes — by lifting weights and doing cardio.

“They're all winners,” said Lexi Minogue, a friend of one of the participants. “They need to keep up the good work — they look amazing.”

To learn more about the program visit the Works Family Health & Fitness Center's website at www.theworkshealthclub.com.